Food prices have been rising steadily since mid-2021. Today food price inflation in the EU/eurozone stands at over 15%, defying the overall drop in inflation to 6.9%. A recent Euroconsumers survey revealed that four in five consumers believe companies are taking advantage of the cost of living crisis for profit. Our members have found that products are shrinking and prices are rising. At the same time half of consumers surveyed don’t trust national and EU authorities to control unjustified price increases.
Why is this the case?
Start Talking this month will take a 360o look at the food price crisis to find out what’s causing the eye watering surge in prices and when consumers can expect prices to calm.
Is it still about post-covid and the war in Ukraine or is more going on?
Are the ‘food oligarchs’ behind the handful of global food corporations controlling access to a basic necessity?
Are hedge funds profiteering by “betting on hunger” for a future windfall while ordinary people can’t put food on the table?
Are supermarkets guilty of not passing on savings to customers?

• Amaury Ghijselings, Research and Advocacy Officer Food Sovereignty, CNCD 11.11.11

• Agustin Reyna, Director, Legal and Economic Affairs, BEUC

• Vincent Colot, Senior Financial Analyst, Euroconsumers

• Francesco Tramontin, Vice President EU Institutional Relations and Group Public Policy Center at Ferrero

• Anton Delbarre, Chief economist, Eurocommerce